07/29/2010

Why I Won't Apply Again

Groucho Marx once observed that he would never join a club that would have him as a member. Of course, that bon mot was delivered after being rejected by a country club because he was Jewish. Humor masking the pain.

I could have appealed the decision of the judges to the entire Board of BCG had I wanted to. I didn't for several reasons. I would have needed to repackage the application materials, write a defense, and spend more time, energy and money. I reasoned that the board reflected the organization and the organization was indicative of the judges. I just felt it was no better than a coin toss at best. Ultimately, I felt the board would back the judges.

I won't apply again for some of the same reasons. Certainly, spending at least another $300 does not sit well with me. I don't like throwing good money after bad. Even if I did the next application better and got more advice, I feel that it takes only one judge with a stick up his ass to reject you. I have no confidence in the fairness of the process nor in the competence of the organization itself. Their mission is: "To foster public confidence in genealogy as a respected branch of history by promoting an attainable, uniform standard of competence and ethics among genealogical practitioners, and by publicly recognizing persons who meet that standard." I met that standard and they couldn't recognize it. That's their problem.

I know some talented genealogists who are C.G.'s. There are some rather untalented C.G.'s as well. Likewise, there are talented and untalented genealogists without a C.G. So, what is the point in getting one? Of the 52 Fellows of the American Society of Genealogists listed in the 2009 The Genealogist [p. 256], only 19 have C.G.'s. [an additional one has an A.G.; twelve have Ph.D.s]. That's just a little over a third. If the BCG can't convince the FASG that having a C.G. is important, is it really? How many people will actually hire a C.G. over a much cheaper "Expert" on Ancestry.com?

Mostly, the organization lost my respect during this process. And without that respect, how can I want to join? It also tainted genealogy for me forever. I'm not sure I'll ever get over it. I've written one last article that has yet to come out, but that may be it. I used to speak at several New England genealogical societies, but I don't anymore. In fact, one asked me in early July of last year and I said yes, but after being rejected, I called and cancelled. I really don't have anything to teach anyone about genealogy anymore.

2 Comments

Sorry you feel that way. I never worry about opinions about my work. Since I am an attorney, I have people telling me I am wrong every day. I am validated by my own efforts and even though I was surprised at the BCG rejection, in the end, do not care what they think. It's sad that you let them influence your ability to share your knowledge.